Nuclear Fission & Fusion 6.4

Flashcards created from lecture notes on Nuclear Fission and Fusion for Edexcel GCSE Physics.

What is nuclear fission?

The splitting of a large, unstable nucleus into two smaller nuclei.

Which isotopes are commonly used as fuels in nuclear power stations?

Isotopes of uranium and plutonium.

What does nuclear fusion involve?

The process where two small nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus.

What is the energy comparison between fusion and chemical reactions?

Nuclear reactions can release roughly one million times more energy than chemical reactions.

What condition is necessary for nuclear fusion to occur?

Extremely high temperatures and pressures.

What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

A process whereby neutrons released from one fission event cause further fission events.

What is the purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

To absorb neutrons and control the rate of the fission reaction.

What are the products of nuclear fission?

Two smaller nuclei, extra neutrons, and gamma rays.

Why is nuclear waste considered dangerous?

It is highly radioactive and remains so for thousands of years.

What does the equation E=mc^2 represent in nuclear fusion?

The mass-energy equivalence where E is energy released, m is mass converted to energy, and c is the speed of light.